Best vegan restaurants in Leeds: 12 plant-based powerhouses to visit

If you’re here searching for the best vegan restaurant in Leeds, you’ve come to the right place - this Yorkshire city boasts a surprising health-conscious, vegan food scene that encompasses everything from vegan fast food to fine dining.

Interest in vegan food continues to grow across the country, whether it’s people moving to entirely vegan diets, or a new generation transitioning to more flexible and plant-based eating habits. That’s just as true in restaurants as it is at home, and we’re seeing great restaurants and bars pop up all over the country offering innovative, exciting, delicious food that is also 100% vegan.

As for vegan fine dining in Leeds? Well, not so much. We’ve picked out a few great restaurants that - though not exclusively vegan or plant-based - do tend to offer a good selection of vegan dishes, so you can go without being limited to a single option on a menu. Gone are the days of having to resign yourself to eating mushroom risotto whenever you visit a restaurant!

In truth, the best vegan restaurants in Leeds city centre tend to stick to fast food - more than a few in this list specialise in the sort of messy, full-flavour plant-based food that will have you coming back for more, and best of all, it really doesn’t break the bank either.

Use the quicklinks above to jump to your section of choice (Leeds’ best vegan restaurants, or other restaurants with strong vegan menus) and remember, you can find more information and booking details just by clicking through to your restaurant of choice.

Best vegan restaurants in Leeds

There are a handful of great, exclusively-vegan restaurants in Leeds, and they all trend towards no-nonsense street food.

Fat Annie’s

What: This popular Kirkgate Market hotdog cart went totally meat-free in 2020, switching things up to a range of delicious vegan hot dogs, burgers and shakes. It’s still very reasonably priced too, you can easily get a whopping vegan burger and fries for under a tenner, and the vegan Oreo milkshake is dangerously addictive too.
Where: 28-34 George Street, LS2 7HY
Book now: Fat Annie’s

Cantina

What: Cantina does an easy range of loaded fries, vegan bites and meal boxes. If you’re not into vegan meat alternatives, don’t worry - the cauli bites and sriracha cauliflower burger are for you! Otherwise, tuck into tasty seitan nuggets and popcorn tofu. The loaded combos are good value too. Cantina also has a site near the university that is, understandably, very popular.
Where: 102-104 Vicar Lane, LS2 7NL
Book now: Cantina Leeds City Centre

The Greenhouse Horsforth

What: The Greenhouse is a 100% plant based cafe (not to be confused with The Green House Cafe in nearby Headingley) that serves an entirely vegan menu during the day, including nourishing salad bowls, hearty soups and sweet treats. The cafe is also worth a visit for the custom smoothies, and kids have their own menu to order from, making this a great family hangout.
Where: 85e Town Street, Horsforth, LS18 5BP
Book now: The Greenhouse Horsforth

Doner Summer

What: Doner Summer has sites all over the north (you’ll find them in Manchester and York too) thanks to a smart menu that puts meat-free patties and chick’n into gloriously saucy burgers and kebabs. If you love messy vegan fast food that goes big on flavour, you’ll love Doner Summer.
Where: 10-12 Call Lane, LS1 6DN
Book now: Doner Summer

Best restaurants with vegan options in Leeds

These Leeds restaurants have lots of vegan and plant-based options, so you can still expect to have plenty of choice. 

Tharavadu

What: This Keralan gem in the city centre has an extensive menu packed with brilliant, authentic south Indian staples. At least half of the menu is vegetarian and vegan, and the staff and service are second to none. Tharavadu seems to be a particular favourite with celebs who end up in and around Leeds, including a number of Indian cricketers, so this is the place to come if you're celeb-spotting.
Where: 7-8 Mill Hill, LS1 5DQ
Book now: Tharavadu

Bundobust

What: Veggie Indian group Bundobust has been a smash hit all over the north of England thanks to its combination of full-throttle Gujarati food and craft beers. Though not strictly vegan, there’s plenty on the menu to keep vegans happy for multiple visits.
Where: 6 Mill Hill, LS1 5DQ
Book now: Bundobust Leeds

Prashad

What: This veggie Gujarati restaurant was made famous by an appearance on ‘Gordon Ramsay’s Best Restaurant’ some years ago, where the Drighlington local made the finals of the show. We’re not surprised - it’s still supremely good, and the entire menu is vegetarian with plenty of delicious options for vegans too.
Where: 137 Whitehall Road, Drighlington, BD11 1AT
Book now: Prashad

Jino’s Thai Cafe

What: A beloved spot for Headingley locals (and anyone leaving the cricket in search of a spicy dinner) Jino’s Thai Cafe also has a dedicated vegan menu. There’s loads of choice here, from a vegan larb to mushroom satay skewers, lots of spicy vegan wok dishes and curries too. Definitely worth the trip.
Where: 38 North Lane, Headingley, LS6 4HU
Book now: Jino’s Thai Cafe

Sarto

What: Sarto has done a great job enacting a Padella-style pasta and snacks menu in Leeds, and vegetarians and vegans will be happy to see that a large percentage of the menu is entirely plant-based. On the current menu at the time of writing, nearly 50% of the standard menu is vegan, with more vegetarian dishes on top of that, making this a great choice for groups with various dietaries to look after.
Where: Munro House, Duke Street, LS9 8AG
Book now: Sarto

Fint

What: Fint’s achingly cool and very good value Scandi fare features a good amount of vegan food. On the menu at the time of writing you’ll find cumin-roasted cauliflower with butter beans and lemon gnocchi with tofu, as well as a couple of vegan starters. Dishes change regularly so it’s always worth a look.
Where: 73 Great George Street, LS1 3BR
Book now: Fint

Eat Your Greens

What: Eat Your Greens does it all, from organic grocery in the day to restaurant and club in the evenings. It’s a great spot for a group, as there’s enough here to please vegans and meat-eaters alike. Save room for the excellent vegan desserts as well.
Where: 42 New York Street, LS2 7DY
Book now: Eat Your Greens

Anand Sweets

What: This legendary Indian sweet shop in Harehills also does brilliant value curries and with loads of choice for vegans. It’s a bit of a trek from the city centre but absolutely worth the journey, and you can take some delicious Indian sweets for the journey home.
Where: 109 Harehills Road, LS8 5HS
Book now: Anand Sweets

Planning a little trip to God's Own Country, Yorkshire? Perhaps you should plan around our list of the best restaurants in Yorkshire, and take in all the best food this glorious green county has to offer.